Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
When is this event?
The date of the event is March 25, 2023. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center and classes begin at 9 a.m. Classes and activities will conclude by 5 p.m.
Where is this event?
North Carolina Transportation Museum
1 Samuel Spencer Dr
Spencer, N.C. 28159
704-636-2889
www.nctransportationmuseum.org
What does this event include?
This event includes:
● Hands-on aviation activities facilitated by museum educators to complete the Aviation
Merit Badge
● A 25-minute ride around the museum on our historic train
● Experience a ride on the 1924 turntable, the centerpiece of railroad operations at the
largest remaining roundhouse in North America
● Museum scavenger hunt
● Free time to explore the museum
● Flag raising/lowering
● Hot dog lunch
How much does this event cost?
- Registration costs $35.10 with tax and handling fees per scout or adult.
- The registration deadline is March 17, 2023.
What's the schedule of the event?
Check-in is from 8:00-8:30 a.m. at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center.
Saturday morning starts with a flag-raising ceremony at 8:45 a.m. Scouts will be assigned to morning or afternoon class sessions, train rides, lunch at the picnic shelters, and time to explore the museum.
How do I register?
You can register by clicking this link https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5334178/scouts-bsa-aviation-day-spencer-north-carolina-transportation-museum. Payment must be received no later than March 17, 2023. Please make checks out to NCTMF. Checks can be mailed to:
N.C. Transportation Museum
411 S. Salisbury Ave.
Spencer, NC 28159
Attn: June Hall
Can we camp onsite?
Onsite camping is not available for BSA Aviation Day.
There are a variety of campgrounds within a short drive of the N.C. Transportation Museum:
● Carolina Rose Campground- Salisbury, NC
● Cross Winds Family Campground- Linwood, NC
● Dan Nicholas Park Campground- Salisbury, NC
● Golden Pond Campground- Salisbury, NC
● High Rock Marina and Campground- Lexington, NC
● Tamarac Marina Campground- Salisbury, NC
Can Cub Scouts attend?
No. We have a separate event for Cub Scouts, please visit www.nctransportationmuseum.org for additional details. An exception is Arrow of Light scouts who are associated with a Scouts BSA troop. They may take part in this event with their troop.
What about younger siblings?
What about food?
Hot dog lunch with chips, dessert, and drink is provided. It is recommended to bring morning and afternoon snacks along with water bottles. Additional hot dogs can be purchased at $2.50 each.
What if it rains?
Are scouts allowed in the gift shop?
Where and when do we check in?
Check-in is Saturday morning from 8:00 a.m.- 8:30 a.m. at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center adjacent to the parking lot.
What do we need to bring for the merit badge workshop?
● A printed merit badge worksheet for each scout
http://www.usscouts.org/mb/worksheets/aviation.pdf
● A pen or pencil for each scout
What requirements will be taught?
Scouts BSA Rail Day covers everything required to earn the Aviation Merit Badge. Some requirements, such as riding a train, will be covered during your free time. Your troop will rotate through five 25-minute classes:
| Class | Requirement |
| Intro to Aviation and Pilot Certifications | 1 a,e |
| How Airplanes Work | 1 b,c,d |
| All About Instrumentation | 2 e,f |
| Flying Without Leaving the Ground | 3 b |
| Careers in Aviation | 5 |
| Aviation Facilities (not a class) | 4c |
Does someone at the museum sign scouts’ Blue Books to earn their merit badge?
The museum does not sign Blue Books, but sometimes we have a volunteer who will sign them. This information will be provided at check-in. If this service is not available, your council can provide a list of merit badge counselors who will sign off on the worksheets completed during Aviation Day.
When do we get our event patches?
What are the uniform requirements?
What is the refund policy?
We do not offer refunds or exchanges unless Scouts BSA Aviation Day itself is canceled or rescheduled due to weather or COVID-19.
If Scouts BSA Aviation Day is canceled, we will offer an alternative date. We will offer refunds for 30 days after the alternative date is announced; after that, we cannot give refunds.
Additional Questions?
Please contact June Hall at june.hall@ncdcr.gov or 980-305-6274 or Karen Bryant at karen.bryant@nctransportationmuseum.org or 980-305-6282 (Tuesday and Wednesday only).